Thread: Advice needed on razor collecting

I have the beginnings of a small knife http://news.webshots.com/album/570403638LfUDBS?start=12 collection which I am going to persue as a hobby. I've been bitten by the bug.

I am also going to get into straght razors. I just bought my first one on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=390035987913 . I may have paid too much but we'll see when it gets here. I have no idea of what exactly I bought. It just looked good so I grabbed it.

Can you collectors give me an idea of what to look for and what to avoid. A top ten list of do's and don'ts would be very useful. I also want to learn to shave with a straight razor and avoid as much bloodshed as possible.

I don't want to end up with loads of rubbish so I need to know the best collectable makes and what gives them their "wow" factor, also, should I buy a new strop or go for one with character?

Thanks in anticipation of a deluge of information.

Welcome to SRP ! Here is a deluge of information in one link. Also check out razor clubs here to get an idea what members here collect.

Just making sure, but your going to shave with them right? Looks like a good deal on a good razor. Needs work of course, but good deal nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Just making sure, but your going to shave with them right? Looks like a good deal on a good razor. Needs work of course, but good deal nonetheless.

I will shave with one eventually, once I've learned to hone and strop. I fully intend keeping lost blood to a minimum.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

I don't want to end up with loads of rubbish so I need to know the best collectable makes and what gives them their "wow" factor, also, should I buy a new strop or go for one with character?

buy the books on razors they're targeted at collectors.
the wow factor with more collectables comes from the rarity.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

I will shave with one eventually, once I've learned to hone and strop. I fully intend keeping lost blood to a minimum.

in this case you don't want to hone your razors, at least not at the beginning. the link to the wiki is a good one to get you started on that info.

Not sure why this isn't in its own thread but...

Boker razors are awesome shavers. Best we could do is give you dates of operation and possibly what was manufactured during a range of years.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Not sure why this isn't in its own thread but...

Boker razors are awesome shavers. Best we could do is give you dates of operation and possibly what was manufactured during a range of years.

Lotta good brands out there. Here is a dating guide for Boker. I believe its been posted before but ........

Gentlemen, I'm a newbie
I found three bokers in three different shops today. All 1920/30's
One in a decent box but with a worn spine? $20.
One in a poor box and a really tiny nick in the blade $17
and
One with scratched scales and Scotch tape on the blade $14

"Goo B Gone" will get rid of the tape glue, won't it?

Would it be worth buying the best pair and combining assets?
Maybe I'll grab the cheapest and throw away the box. You all seem to think they are good shavers.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

You all seem to think they are good shavers.

Well, I haven't seen a bad one, although I've only had 10 or so.

Buy them all and sell me the ones you don't want. I'll pay shipping and price you paid.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

Gentlemen, I'm a newbie
I found three bokers in three different shops today. All 1920/30's
One in a decent box but with a worn spine? $20.
One in a poor box and a really tiny nick in the blade $17
and
One with scratched scales and Scotch tape on the blade $14

"Goo B Gone" will get rid of the tape glue, won't it?

Would it be worth buying the best pair and combining assets?
Maybe I'll grab the cheapest and throw away the box. You all seem to think they are good shavers.